U.S. Tobacco Import Update

Overview

U.S. imports (arrivals) of foreign-grown leaf and stems surged from 468 million pounds in 2000/01 (July-June) to 587 million pounds during 2001/02 (July/June), a gain of 25 percent. Stemmed flue-cured, burley, and stems accounted for the gain. During the same period, imports for consumption of leaf and stems advanced 24 percent to reach 572 million pounds. Use of foreign-grown flue-cured gained while burley and Oriental use fell. Foreign-grown stocks of flue-cured and Oriental were depleted and stocks of burley increased. Imports of flue-cured and burley tobacco continue to be restricted by a tariff-rate quota.